Missouri Legislature Moves to Protect Identities of Lottery Winners

A bill seeking to protect the identities of lottery winners crossed the legislative finish line last week, progressing to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Rep. Jay Mosley’s HB 402 would change state law to prohibit the publishing of winners’ information on the lottery website to announce their winnings. Names, addresses, and other information are shielded under Mosley’s bill.

“The last thing we want is for the excitement of winning the lottery to be replaced with a sense of fear because the newfound money draws unwanted attention. We’ve seen cases where winners are harassed and even threatened, and that’s something we want to do all we can to prevent. This is a simple change but one that will protect everyone who plays the lottery here in Missouri,” Mosley said.

Other states, including Kansas, allow winners to remain anonymous. Mosley said he hoped the bill would encourage those concerned about their privacy to play the lottery in Missouri rather than traveling to other states to remain anonymous.

The bill was handled in the upper chamber by Mosley’s wife, Sen. Angela Mosley, who shepherded the bill to a swift victory. Lawmakers said this was the first time a bill has been handled across chambers by a married couple.